Anti-Obesity Medications in Longevity and Aesthetic Medicine

Anti-obesity medications (AOMs), led by the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) semaglutide and liraglutide and the dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide, have produced substantial weight reduction and growing signals of benefit that extend well beyond adiposity. These agents are now discussed in relation to longevity and aesthetic medicine, raising the question of whether their effects reach ageing biology and appearance. This narrative review (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Clinical trial registries; January 2010–June 2026) integrates mechanistic studies, randomised cardiovascular and renal outcome trials, ageing-biomarker analyses, body-composition data, and patient-facing aesthetic phenomena. The evidence indicates that AOMs reduce major cardiovascular events, slow kidney and liver disease progression, and lower all-cause mortality in selected populations; exploratory proteomic and epigenetic analyses further suggest effects partly independent of weight loss, though these do not establish slowed ageing. Newer multi-receptor agents act with greater metabolic specificity: glucagon-containing agents such as survodutide and the triple agonist retatrutide preferentially reduce visceral and hepatic fat (liver-fat reductions of roughly 60–80% in places), a quality of weight loss arguably more relevant to healthspan than its quantity. Concurrently, rapid large-magnitude weight loss drives soft-tissue and appearance changes colloquially termed “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic body”, alongside accelerated skin laxity and loss of lean mass, the latter tempered by data showing lean-loss proportions comparable to established agents.